Abstract: A method is provided of growing crystals from compounds that melt congruently with negligible volatilization. The composition of one or more crystal samples is measured. A determination is made of a deviation of crystal composition from congruency. A determination is made of an initial melt composition and a source material composition correction relative to the deviation. Crystals are grown using the composition correction to yield reproducible material for surface acoustic substrate manufacturing.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically creating and presenting a network based application for any number of a plurality of products. The method and system upon receiving a request to apply for one or more of a plurality of products, dynamically creates an application pages that includes fields to input the specific information required to apply for the selected products. The application page is provided to the applicant through the network and the application data is received by the system. The method and system causes the application data to be processed and provides the results to the applicant. The applicant is provided the results of multiple specific applications in with minimal data input and in real time.

Abstract: A power amplifier system is provided that includes a power amplifier configured to receive an RF input. A DC-DC converter is coupled to the power amplifier. Clocking circuits drive the DC-DC converter. The clocking circuits use the RF input to generate a clock. The clock acts with the DC-DC converter to provide an output voltage used in the power amplifier.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a dosimeter is employed to passively record a peak pressure (e.g., a peak blast pressure) and/or a maximum acceleration experienced by the dosimeter.

Abstract: A method of controlling a penetrating member is provided. The method comprises providing a lancing device comprising a penetrating member driver having a position sensor and a processor that can determine the relative position and velocity of the penetrating member based on measuring relative position of the penetrating member with respect to time; providing a predetermined velocity control trajectory based on a model of the driver and a model of tissue to be contacted. In some embodiments, a feedforward control to maintain penetrating member velocity along said trajectory.

Abstract: The invention generally concerns systems, methods, and apparatus wherein a computer may receive information concerning a group of target date funds from a database. Information about the target date funds may comprise information about the glide path and the target retirement date of that fund. A diversification level of each of the target date funds may be determined from the received information. An equity ratio may also be determined for each of the target date funds using the received information. In some instances, the equity ratio may be based upon the amount of equity projected to be owned by the target date fund upon the target retirement date. After determining an equity ratio and a diversification level, a summary of the group of funds is output for review by a user. The summary may include a summary or graph of the diversification levels and equity ratios of the target date funds.

Abstract: Systems and methods for audit confirmation and other confirmation services by a financial institution are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for managing information retrievals from all of an enterprises' archives across all operating locations. The archives include both digital and analog archives. A single “virtual archive” is provided which links all of the archives of the enterprise, regardless of the location or configuration of the archive. The virtual archive allows for data aggregation (regardless of location) so the a user can have data from multiple physical locations on a single screen in a single view. A single, consistent and user friendly interface is provided through which users are able to access multiple applications through a single sign-on and password. Logical tables that are used to direct information retrieval requests to the physical archives. The retrieved information is reformatted and repackaging to resolve any incompatibility between the format of the stored information and the distribution media.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a source of a light beam and a beam splitter for splitting the light beam from the source into at least first and second beams. A first reflector is positioned in the path of the first light beam. A second reflector, including a convergent lens and a mirror, is positioned in the path of the second light beam following reflection from a target. Further included is at least one detector for detecting fringes formed by interference of the first and second light beams following reflection from the first and second reflectors, respectively. The mirror of the second reflector has a radius of curvature R within 10% of the value determined using a first formula, and the focal length f of the convergent lens is within 10% of the value determined using a second formula.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a customer authentication system for authenticating a customer making a request related to a customer account. The customer authentication system may include multiple application level data receiving and processing mechanisms for receiving customer requests and collecting customer data. The customer authentication system may additionally include a central authentication system for receiving the customer requests and customer data from the multiple application level data receiving and processing mechanisms, the central authentication system determining, based on authentication policy, whether the collected customer data is sufficient to authenticate each customer in order to fulfill the customer request. The central authentication system may return its conclusions and instructions to the multiple application level data receiving and processing mechanisms.

Abstract: Portal images are combined with 3D ultrasound to determine adjustments to patient treatment parameters. The images are acquired while the patient is in an initial position, and the images are registered to a treatment coordinate system. The images are combined and outlines of anatomical structures are superimposed on the portal images, resulting in new portal images that incorporate the anatomy extracted from the ultrasound. The enhanced portal images are used to identify modifications to the treatment parameters.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting the length of analytes and/or sequencing analytes are provided in which two or more electrical signals are obtained as an analyte traverses a nanopore or fluidic channel. Detection of the relative position of probes hybridized to a biomolecule and/or the length of the analyte (e.g., a biomolecule) rely on detection events to determine a distance associated with the biomolecule. Multiple signals may be obtained (e.g., as functions of time) corresponding to a plurality of detector volumes at known locations along a fluidic channel through which the biomolecule passes, and the distances may be determined from the multiple signals.

Abstract: This invention relates to the amplification of multiple nucleic acid target sequences. Forward and reverse compound primers comprising a common amplification sequence and a target-specific primer sequence are immobilized at a site on a solid support. Target regions of single-stranded template DNA are primed and copied by the forward primer to produce a first extension product. The template DNA is removed and the first extension product is primed and copied by the reverse primer to produce a second extension product. The second extension product has common amplification sequences at each end and is bulk-amplified in solution by regular PCR employing primers that target the common amplification sequences. These methods allow highly multiplexed amplifications to be performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selective production of hydrogen and methane from a biomass feedstock in a reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions by controlling moisture concentration in the reactor vessel. The method comprises the steps of introducing a biomass feedstock into the reactor vessel maintained under anaerobic conditions; introducing a bacterial inoculum into the reactor vessel to facilitate digestion of the biomass feedstock; setting a moisture concentration of the contents of the reactor vessel at a first moisture level; and collecting hydrogen gas from the reactor vessel. The method may further comprise maintaining the moisture concentration at a first moisture level or within a first moisture range. The method may additionally comprise increasing the moisture concentration of the contents of the reactor vessel to a second moisture concentration; and collecting methane gas from the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device transfers heat away from or toward an object using the Peltier effect. In some embodiments, the length of at least one thermoelectric element is at least ten times greater than a combined average cross-sectional dimension, orthogonal to the length, of two thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: An improved fast settling bit slicing comparator circuit includes a comparator having a non-inverting and inverting input; the non-inverting input receiving an input signal; a filter circuit for receiving the input signal and being connected with the inverting input of the comparator; a positive feedback circuit interconnected between the output of the comparator and the non-inverting input of the comparator for introducing a predetermined hysteresis offset; the filter circuit including a filter resistance and filter capacitance having a reduced time constant sufficient to compensate for at least a portion of the hysteresis offset. Additionally, the positive feedback circuit may be interconnected with the inverting input of the comparator through the filter circuit for gradually reducing the effect of the hysteresis offset by reducing the differential voltage between the inverting and non-inverting inputs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to provide distributed processing on a service provider network that includes a plurality of remotely located consumer devices. Each of the remotely located consumer devices includes a processing device. A service is provided from the service provider network to the remotely located consumer devices. Distributed processing of a task on the processing devices of the remotely located consumer devices occurs, the distributed processing being unrelated to the service provided to the consumers. The distributed processing occurs even when the processing devices are in use by corresponding remotely located consumer devices.

Abstract: Aluminum filled via disks are manufactured utilizing a plurality of drilled substrates placed into a metal can in a stacked, interdisposed assembly with a corresponding number of graphite molds. Aluminum infiltration ingots are added and the can is heated to a temperature to melt the ingots. The molten aluminum is pressurized so that it flows into the vias. The substrates are then cooled, removed from the can, separated from between the graphite molds, and the flat surface faces are ground and polished to expose the filled vias.

Abstract: A method for analyzing proteins makes use of an array of first capture molecules which are specific for peptide epitopes. The proteins to be analyzed or a protein mixture containing the proteins to be analyzed is degraded to peptide fragments corresponding to the peptide epitopes, after which the array of capture molecules is incubated with the peptide fragments. The peptide fragments bound to the capture molecules are then detected.

Abstract: Estimating influence includes receiving a subject graph, in which the subject graph includes two or more subject nodes, in which each subject node corresponds to a subject; and determining an objective influence measure for each first subject node of the subject graph, in which the determination is based at least on part on a function of inward scores and outward scores, in which inward scores are computed from one or more paths leading to the first subject of a length of at least one, and outward scores are computed from one or more paths leading from the first subject of a length of at least one.